You are reading

Queens Serial Groper Fails to Show for Sentencing, Faces New Charges

Police released a photo of Stephen Pena in 2019 following a groping spree (NYPD)

March 10, 2022 By Christian Murray

Will he show?

A Queens man who pleaded guilty to 10 counts of forceable touching in 2019 and failed to show up for sentencing last month has another court date tomorrow. This time the charge is for gun possession.

Stephen Pena, 23, was arrested Aug. 2, 2019 and charged with 10 counts of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree for a groping spree that took place in Corona and Elmhurst in July 2019.

He pleaded guilty to charges that involved touching 10 women, who ranged in age from 17 to 57, according to court records. Some of the incidents occurred in the vicinity of 57th Avenue and 97th Street, with two taking place at the Queens Center Mall.

Pena’s spree involved touching women’s breasts to slapping their buttocks.

He was scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 24 but failed to show up to court, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office. A bench warrant was then issued.

Tomorrow, March 11, Pena has a court date on charges of criminal possession in the second degree and criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree with the intent to use it against another.

Police discovered the firearm in Pena’s Glen Oaks house on Dec. 1, 2021 after an individual made a complaint at the 105 NYPD precinct, according to court records. He and three others were in a house and were arrested.

Pena was unable to be reached for comment.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.